Within just a few breaths, Jiang Ning came before Xia Xuanyan.

"Dongling Marquis, long time no see!" Xia Xuanyan jumped down from the giant rock, speaking with a smile.

"Master Xia, what brings you here to see me?" Jiang Ning’s gaze was calm, showing no surprise at Xia Xuanyan’s presence.

Because at this moment, Xia Xuanyan’s existence distorted the magnetic field around them, allowing him to feel the intangible energy in the world being warped due to Xia Xuanyan’s presence.

However, he could perceive that Xia Xuanyan’s figure seemed ethereal and blurry, not as vivid as the last time he saw him.

Even with the distortion of the invisible field, it was clear that Xia Xuanyan was not physically present.

What method he was using, Jiang Ning was uncertain.

But he understood that despite Xia Xuanyan’s current state, he still possessed formidable strength.

The invisible field was proof of this.

Furthermore, due to the presence of this invisible field, Jiang Ning felt the anomaly in this place from far away while in his carriage.

"Dongling Marquis, shall we talk?" Xia Xuanyan suggested.

"Alright!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

"Let’s walk!" Xia Xuanyan invited.

Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

"Dongling Marquis, have you clearly seen the situation you are currently in?" Xia Xuanyan asked as they walked through the snow.

"Master Xia, speak your mind!" Jiang Ning said.

"Very well, I will be direct!" Xia Xuanyan nodded, then continued: "A few days ago, that elder Martial Saint appeared because of you, obliterating the Xuan Yuan Blessed Land in one move. This action has caused a stir across all Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands. No one expected him to come out for you, personally supporting you and annihilating the ancient Xuan Yuan Blessed Land."

Listening to these words, Jiang Ning continued to watch Xia Xuanyan.

Seeing this, Xia Xuanyan no longer paused, but continued: "Since that elder Martial Saint holds you in such high regard, you have landed on the must-kill list of many forces."

"With his protection, who can kill me? Who dares to kill me?" Jiang Ning said, unceremoniously, his words filled with sharpness.

Xia Xuanyan responded with a faint smile: "With him still alive, indeed no one dares to touch you. His strength can trace the truth instantly; no one can hide facts from him! None of us would risk our doctrines and heritage for you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning felt a sense of reassurance.

The reason he showed such sharpness in his words was to glean some information from Xia Xuanyan.

After all, as a Primordial Spirit Strong Person and the Xia family head of the Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven, Xia Xuanyan knew more than Jiang Ning did.

Especially regarding matters of the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands.

Now, hearing Xia Xuanyan’s words, Jiang Ning realized that as long as nothing happened to the Martial Saint, he was likely safe.

Because as Xia Xuanyan said, with the precedence of the Xuan Yuan Blessed Land, not a single force was willing to face the wrath of the ancient Martial Saint in his twilight years.

No force would risk its doctrines and heritage to try and kill him.

No one wanted to fall into the same plight as the Xuan Yuan Blessed Land.

Additionally, the Martial Saint had been invincible for over eight hundred years, suppressing the world for over eight centuries; none doubted his strength.

Even though he was in his twilight years, no one dared to take such a risk.

Various thoughts rapidly flashed through Jiang Ning’s mind.

Then he looked at Xia Xuanyan: "Master Xia, speak plainly!"

He continued: "If you proceed this way, the road ahead of you will be a dead end! I can show you a way to survive."

"Please, tell me, Master Xia!" Jiang Ning said.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning’s calm tone, Xia Xuanyan nodded affirmatively and then said: "Our Xuan Huang Cave Heaven World, as a Great Cave Heaven, is among the top few in terms of foundation and strength, with only a handful that could match or surpass it."

"Outside, once that Martial Saint passes, strong ones will indeed try to eliminate you, to prevent you from growing, becoming a second Martial Saint."

Jiang Ning asked: "And what is the path to survival you speak of, Master Xia?"

He continued: "The Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven might only be among the top ten Cave Heavens. Above it are several with deeper foundations and strength."

Hearing this, Xia Xuanyan smiled confidently.

"Since I have come to you, naturally I have the confidence to offer you a path to survival, even if the allied forces of the Upper Three Heavens seek to take your life, I still have the assurance and ability to protect you! But there is a prerequisite!"

"What prerequisite?" Jiang Ning asked.

Xia Xuanyan replied: "You marry my daughter Xia Wanqin, become my son-in-law, become the son-in-law of the Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven! By entering the Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven, I will spare no resources to assist your growth, letting you have a higher chance to make the final leap, becoming the second in eight hundred years."

"What gives Master Xia the confidence to defy the combined might of the Upper Three Heavens?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Simple!" Xia Xuanyan smiled lightly: "Dongling Marquis may not know, but within one’s own Cave Heaven, innate advantages are enough to secure an undefeated position. In the past, it was geographical advantage that allowed them to sit down with us. Without this, with their battle prowess and character at their prime, they could have flattened all Cave Heavens, and we would not be here now."

Jiang Ning asked: "Entering Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven will be my path to survival?"

"Yes!" Xia Xuanyan nodded slightly: "Enter my Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven, marry my daughter Xia Wanqin, and you will be one of ours. I have ample reason to protect you completely. As long as you remain within the Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven, your life will be free of worries, and no one can take it from you."

Jiang Ning asked: "Master Xia, aren’t you afraid that once I grow, I might turn against Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven?"

Xia Xuanyan shook his head: "Since I am here to see you today, there are things I must make clear. Once you enter my Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven, some constraints will be placed upon you, not excessive, just to prevent future betrayal. It’s a mutual agreement. I am not afraid to be open with you; after all, this is a mutual willingness. It cannot be forced."

As expected!!

Upon hearing Xia Xuanyan’s words, Jiang Ning’s heart was clear.

"Dongling Marquis should carefully consider! The upheaval in this world will be over in one or two years! Though your talent and potential are unrivaled in history, you are still young. No matter how strong your potential, you still need a considerable time to reach your peak." Xia Xuanyan spoke again, observing Jiang Ning’s expression.

Jiang Ning replied: "Master Xia, you should know that as a martial artist like me, I cannot be constrained and limited! If I could accept such constraints, bow my head, I couldn’t reach that level!"

Xia Xuanyan nodded in deep agreement.

That was precisely his thought.

Bowing down, with an incomplete spirit, it was impossible to reach the level of that person.

And he didn’t actually need Jiang Ning to reach the level comparable to that Martial Saint.

Such existence was too strong!

Strong beyond their understanding.

Strong enough to make them all feel a shiver.

Neither Blessed Land, nor Cave Heaven, neither something like the Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven nor the Upper Three Heavens.

All felt powerless against the Martial Saint at his peak.

Thus, even if Jiang Ning was willing to bow down, he did not want Jiang Ning to reach such height.

Even the mere possibility was something he didn’t wish to try.

For such an existence could never be controlled or confined.

Yet he knew that if Jiang Ning was constrained, his spirit no longer complete, unable to achieve the freedom needed, he could never reach that level.

Then Xia Xuanyan, after nodding, didn’t argue further.

"Dongling Marquis is correct! Bowing and constraints hinder reaching such heights! But Dongling Marquis should also realize, since Great Xia established dominion, it has been over eight hundred years, countless prodigies shined like the sun in the vast sky. Some dominated an era, and yet none succeeded in over eight hundred years!"

"Dongling Marquis should consider trading an impossible probability for his own longevity."

"With my Xuanhuang Great Cave Heaven’s resources, your lifespan can extend beyond two or three Jiazi, reaching a thousand years or more."

"You can also cultivate the next generation, place hopes upon them, allowing them to grow, surpass their predecessors, and become truly akin to the Martial Saint."